How's it going? I haven't written a newsletter for a while as I've been knee deep recording in my studio. I've actually had a very inspired year musically so far, having written about eight tracks that I really like. I can give hints as to the direction on this new album.

I've been listening to a lot of Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck and a good smattering of my favourite chill/lounge artists like Groove Armada, St. Germain and Dzhizan & Kamien, and somehow all this music has got under my skin and inspired me to create my own.

So needless to say this new album will be way way funky and a return trip down the acid-jazz road, one of my first loves back in the early nineties. But I intend to bring it all up to date. But make no mistake, put on your dancing shoes! This is some deep funk. And that is probably all I will say at this point because things can change at any point the deeper I get. But I'm pretty set on this direction. It's a good creative departure for me I think.

I'm starting to get some live dates for this year and I have some already booked. Here's how it looks so far. More to come...

April 7th 6:30pm Seal Beach, CA Spaghettini May 4th 12-6 Temecula, CA Temecula Wine & Music Festival June 9th 1:30pm Birmingham, AL Magic City/Jazz In The Park August 29th 8:00pm Southend, UK Cliff's Pavillion August 30th 8:00pm Soho, London, UK Pizza Express Jazz Club August 31st 8:00pm Soho, London, UK Pizza Express Jazz Club

I'm also working on my next instructional guitar program, Jazz Guitar Video Masterclass Volume 2. This will focus 100% on improvising chord melody, for those jazz guitar enthusiasts who might be interested. This will be released in September.

And with that short and sweet little update, I hope all is well and you are havinga great 2013 so far.

Take care!